Airbus conducts test flights, grounds Belugas

Airbus said it was taking advantage of "scheduled development test flights to assess the impact on the aircraft and its flight systems" of potential volcanic ash encounters. An A380 flew in French airspace and an A340-600 flew in French and German airspace yesterday. The manufacturer said it will "share the findings from these flights with the relevant airworthiness authorities and engine manufacturers as soon as possible."

Airbus said it was taking advantage of "scheduled development test flights to assess the impact on the aircraft and its flight systems" of potential volcanic ash encounters. An A380 flew in French airspace and an A340-600 flew in French and German airspace yesterday. The manufacturer said it will "share the findings from these flights with the relevant airworthiness authorities and engine manufacturers as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, it said A320 deliveries from Hamburg have been stopped ...